"Getting Close"

Within this section we will talk about wildlife rules, keeping your distance, stalking strategies, how vehicles can be good shields, and other blinds for getting that "perfect picture".

WILDLIFE RULES: As a general rule for being a nature photographer you should know that you can only photograph the animal at its forbearance. Because, of yours and the the animals personal safety. So, for safety purposes when you are going out to photograph it would be a good idea to know which animals will let you get close and which ones won't. For example, small animals like marmots, hummingbirds, and raccoons don't have any fear of humans so they are easier to get close to. On the other hand, the second category of animals need to get used to you being there up close. Therefore you should make sure you are around the animal for many hours and in some cases days.

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE: If you want to photograph an animal where you can't get close to them due to the environment like a bear feeding you should stay far away. But in order to get the picture you want, a telephoto lens would work extremely well. A telephoto lens allows you to feel like you are close to your subject but, your actually far away from the subject.

STALKING STRATEGIES: A really useful tool to know even if you aren't a photographer is whenever you are approaching an animal stay calm, low and move slowly. However, when you do have your camera gear with you make sure you are knee-walking with the tripod over you. You should also try to look small harmless so don't make loud noises and run.

VEHICLES MAKE GOOD BLINDS: Did you know that animals are more afraid of a human beings than of huge vehicles? So you can use your car for a shield like protector in order to get the pictures you want. Using a camouflaged blind in you vehicle will allow you to take pictures of birds in their natural habitat without disturbing them.

OTHER BLINDS: Some others blinds that will help you achieve the photographs you want of animals in their natural habitat would be, camouflaging a tree, matching to color of the terrain, bag blinds, and using stationary blinds for bird photographing.

If you want to learn more about "Getting Close" I would highly recommend reading "Nature Photography" written by, Tim Fitzharris.